Got a Hitchhiker

[CaptainYooh]

Hello all. Our tank is now three weeks old with the live rock being in it for two weeks. Here's a shot of it:

 

 

We have a hitchhiker. It's a small crab, fingernail–sized. You can see him sitting on the powerhead suction screen on the photo below. There is not enough algae or waste for him to feed on and he's probably going to die anyway. Should we just leave him alone or remove him from the tank?

 

Also, our glass doesn't seem to keep clear and clean no matter what we do and salt continues to crystallize around the outside plastic edges of the tank. Any advice here? Please and thanks.

 

[SexyShrimp]

Better safe than sorry! I would remove him.

 

& In regards to the salt thing, how high is your water level? When mine was too high, it would seep into different places and cause salt creep

[oldmanbassoon]

Most people will tell you to get rid of any and all crabs you don't put in there yourself.

[CaptainYooh]

What are the dangers of the "unknown" crab to the reef tank? Please and thanks.

[jbfrompa]

They can get big and eat your fish

[paneubert]

They can get big and eat your fish

 

and corals.....and other invertebrates.....and anything else they seem to like that day.

[Coastie]

" they'll climb in your windows and snatch yo people up.."

[CaptainYooh]

" they'll climb in your windows and snatch yo people up.."

Well, I guess that'll do it for me then...

[davelink]

yeah id say ditch it if you havent already, ive never ended up wanting to keep any hitchhiker crabs and always end up regretting not taking them out if i had the chance cause once theyre in theyre usually in for good. i dont even keep acro crabs, people seem to like them but i always get rid of them.

[Kweli]

With any hitchhiker you find you need to do things quickly:

a) research what it is

remove it as quickly as possible if its not beneficial.

 

I noticed 3 flatworms in my tank and removed them as soon as i spotted them, havent had any since then (been over 2 months now).... Alot of people leave it around for "tomorrow" and then they have an invasion on their hands.

 

I typically kill first, research second...... BUT, i spent a good amount of time looking at the hitchhiker ID thread to get a very good understanding of the goods and bads...

 

Crabs are typically always bad (unless its a porcelin or pom pom... or emerald), so take it out before it finds a hiding spot in your rock and you dont get a 2nd chance...

 

Before you start buying corals i would also suggest investing in a 5-10 dollar coral dip that will kill most pesky hitchhikers. This 5-10 dollars today will save you from 10-50 dollars of removal products AND priceless amounts of wasted time.

[sublime1996525]

" they'll climb in your windows and snatch yo people up.."

 

So hide yo daughters, hide yo wife! LMAO